plastic or metal intercooler tube which is better

[6.0kansaspowerstroke]

I saw Riff Raff diesel has a metal cac tube kit for the drivers side. Is there any gain over my stock plastic one? Ive started to notice a little oil residue coming out of the plastic tube on the top side of the motor where it connects to the intake elbow? if thats what its called.

[skanj0]

Originally Posted by 6.0kansaspowerstroke

I saw Riff Raff diesel has a metal cac tube kit for the drivers side. Is there any gain over my stock plastic one? Ive started to notice a little oil residue coming out of the plastic tube on the top side of the motor where it connects to the intake elbow? if thats what its called.

The metal one is better, and is what came with the 03/04 trucks. The black plastic one tends to rub against the bottom of the air cleaner assembly until it has a hole in it. The plastic ones also tend to "pop off" under high levels of boost and under high temps. You can order one from Ford as well. Seach the forum for "metal CAC tube". I got one for my 06 a year or two ago. Was about $120 from Tousley Ford.

BTW, you will still see some oil at the intake manifold elbow - even with the metal cold side CAC tube. Mine has just a light amount of oil mist, not the drips that plastic one had. Only a CCV re-route will completely cure this.

Good Luck

[6.0kansaspowerstroke]

I did a ccv re-route and just now noticed the oil mist on it. Mines an 04 and still has the plastic. Thanks for the info i think im going to order one and see what it does. Do you think the oil mist is just what is being worked out of the intercooler since i did the re-route?

[PGreenSVT]

If you are seeing oil then your boots are shot and you ought to replace them. If oil can penetrate the boot then you better believe air can to. You could be loosing 1-3 lbs of boost through the boots.

[Chatham036]

Originally Posted by skanj0

. You can order one from Ford as well.

Not anymore. I tried to order one at the beginning of this past week and they did not have any more and are not replenishing the stock of them.

I did place an order from sunrisefordparts.com who apparently has them in stock. I have not received the order yet to make sure it is the proper metal pipe

[tatertot]

I have a passenger side one laying around in my garage somewhere if you need it just sold the driverside it only has the intercooler boot on it.

[skanj0]

Originally Posted by tatertot

I have a passenger side one laying around in my garage somewhere if you need it just sold the driverside it only has the intercooler boot on it.

I think the OP was just looking for a metal "cold side" CAC tube (drivers side).

[Karls03]

Metal tubes won't crack like plastic tubes.

Originally Posted by skanj0

The metal one is better, and is what came with the 03/04 trucks. The black plastic one tends to rub against the bottom of the air cleaner assembly until it has a hole in it. The plastic ones also tend to "pop off" under high levels of boost and under high temps. You can order one from Ford as well. Seach the forum for "metal CAC tube". I got one for my 06 a year or two ago. Was about $120 from Tousley Ford.

BTW, you will still see some oil at the intake manifold elbow - even with the metal cold side CAC tube. Mine has just a light amount of oil mist, not the drips that plastic one had. Only a CCV re-route will completely cure this.

Good Luck

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